Western Context

Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals, BC’s budget includes tax hikes and high debt, and Alberta looks at a referendum on immigration. Also, Carney’s international trade rebellion is not quite what it seems.

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“I want you to know how confident I am in the judgment of Albertans on these and other delicate issues. Although there are some politicians and commentators that fear direct democracy, such as referendums, I do not. I trust the judgment of Albertans.” – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the use of referenda.

Duration: 1:11:26
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals
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• Tax hikes, record debt leave no winners in B.C. budget
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces fall referendum on immigration, constitutional questions
• Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance
• Word of the Week: Rebellion

Premier Eby’s comedian friend overshadows the province’s finances, Alberta wants more provincial control over immigration, and Sean Fraser unveils new hate crime legislation. Also, Alberta supports Quebec’s usage of the notwithstanding clause.

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“So what we’re going to introduce at the legislature this fall is gradual entry for politicians. I just think it would be better for all parties if we know that their parents will be there to pick them up at lunchtime.” – BC Premier David Eby on treating politicians like schoolchildren.

Duration: 1:00:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

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• B.C. premier not amused when asked about comedian speech-writing contract
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• Alberta premier directs minister to increase provincial control over immigration
• Ottawa hate crime bill would outlaw ‘hateful’ displays of certain symbols
• Ottawa’s request for limits on notwithstanding clause a ‘direct attack’ on Bill 21, Quebec says
• Word of the Week: Notwithstanding

Alberta’s car insurance system could see higher rates, the BC NDP has no money left for their promises, and Poilievre wants to legalize pipelines. Also, a Quebec court reduces a sentence because of the criminal’s skin colour.

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“The opponents of pipelines are using this very cleverly. They’re saying: ‘well we can’t change the rules to allow a pipeline, because there’s no pipeline proposed.’ That’s because the rules don’t allow for pipelines to get built. So let’s get rid of this chicken and egg distraction that the Liberals have imposed.” – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on the bottlenecks of Canada.

Duration: 1:02:09
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta’s overhaul of the auto insurance system continues. Here’s how much Albertans could be paid out and the latest updates
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• B.C. NDP has promises to keep, but no money to spend
• Poilievre says Carney’s moving in the ‘wrong direction,’ pledges to ‘legalize’ pipelines
• Black man given reduced sentence due to race, Quebec minister worries it sets bad precedent
• Word of the Week: Fault

Poilievre pledges to increase our Arctic footprint, Carney wants to rebrand the carbon tax, and the BC NDP cancels the planned grocery rebate. Also, the anniversary of the flag brings a renewal of Canada first.

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“We intended to do this, but the world has changed on us. It’s become much more uncertain.” – BC Finance Brenda Bailey on cancelling the campaign promised $1000 grocery rebate.

Duration: 57:41
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Poilievre pledges Arctic military base, naval icebreakers if party forms government
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• Does Mark Carney want a trade war with Trump over carbon emissions?
• BC NDP blames Trump while axing promise that should never have been made
• CBC host afraid Canadian flag associates him with Freedom Convoy
• Word of the Week: Hijacked

BC gets another credit downgrade, Alberta battles the federal government over municipal control, and Trudeau’s South-East Asia trip cost $2M. Also, the CSIS director testifies that the Trudeau government did know about foreign interference.

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“I guess one way to beat the high cost of groceries in Canada is to take a government work trip and bill taxpayers for fancy airplane food.” – Canadian Taxpayers Federation Federal Director Franco Terrazzano on Trudeau’s lavish diplomatic trips around the world.

Duration: 51:55
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• British Columbia Gets Third Credit Downgrade in Three Years
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• Alberta to introduce legislation preventing municipal-federal deals without province’s OK
• PM’s six-day Indo-Pacific trip cost $2M, including $200K in catering
• CSIS director testifies Trudeau government was warned repeatedly about Chinese foreign interference
• Word of the Week: Downgrade

Trudeau and Singh reach a deal on pharmacare, BC’s budget introduces a flipping tax and lots of spending, and Danielle Smith wants to build up the Heritage fund. Also, the BC NDP wants us to stop using the term British Columbians.

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“The term ‘British Columbians’ is often used to reference people living in B.C. This term excludes Indigenous Peoples who may not identify with it. For many, they identify as members of their own sovereign nations and do not consider themselves part of one that has actively worked to assimilate their people.” – the BC NDP government’s writing guide on Indigenous topics.

Duration: 57:52
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Pharmacare deal to help affordability, bring down inflation
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• B.C. Budget 2024 includes new ‘flipping tax’ on homes
• One last shot’ — Smith vows to build up Heritage Fund, move Alberta off royalty roller-coaster
• BC instructs people to stop saying “British Columbians” because it’s offensive
• Word of the Week: Guide

BC’s 2023 budget returns to deficit spending, while Alberta sticks to surpluses. The media misrepresents a BC company’s controlled substance license, and we uncover more of the Chinese Communist Party’s influence in Canadian politics.

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“One of the things we’ve seen unfortunately over the past years is a rise in anti-Asian racism linked to the pandemic, and concerns being raised around people’s loyalties. I want to make everyone understand fully: Han Dong is an outstanding member of our team, and suggestions that he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained.” – Justin Trudeau on why anti-Asian racism is the true concern this week.

Duration: 1:02:27
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. Budget 2023 bets focus on tax credits and rebates will work amid continued housing uncertainty
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• Alberta government projects $2.4-billion surplus for 2023-24 in pre-election budget
• B.C. premier ‘astonished’ firm got Health Canada approval to make and sell cocaine
• Justin Trudeau blames racism for allegation that China helped Liberal MP get elected
• Word of the Week: Influence

Trudeau’s small business subsidy actually went to large corporations, Alberta’s budget forecasts a surplus and investment, while BC’s budget forecasts a deficit and more taxes. Also, Trudeau’s new digital services tax faces backlash from the US.

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“Can we take what we’ve learned from the past two years to make policies that aren’t devastating for small businesses? We need to find a new way forward. We can’t be asked to sacrifice and take on more debt again.” – Hannah Kovacs, a Halifax fitness gym owner, on the possibility of continuing COVID restrictions.

Duration: 55:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Parliament’s $100B small business relief program mostly went to large corporations: Report
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• Budget 2022: Moving forward
• B.C. budget’s tax increases affect used vehicle sales, tobacco
• U.S. Urges Canada to Abandon Digital Service Tax
• Word of the Week: Discord

The CBC notes that the new Minister of Environment is not a woman, Rachel Notley blames the UCP for her alcohol purchases, BC’s economic machine starts to slow down, and an effort by the media to smear Andrew Scheer is rebuffed by Conservative members.

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Duration: 50:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Will Jonathan Wilkinson’s gender give him an easier time in the environment ministry?
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• Notley accuses Tories of “corruption” in liquor purchase, before revelation it was made under her watch
• B.C. budget surplus projection continues to shrink
• I am staying on to fight the fight’ says Scheer amid more calls for resignation
• Word of the Week: Histrionics

The RCMP’s obstruction of justice case into SNC is blocked by Trudeau, the BC economy is slowing down but spending remains up, and Alberta’s war room on oil misinformation gains enemies. Also, Trudeau no shows the first debate, which matters a great deal.

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Duration: 52:10
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Ottawa blocks RCMP on SNC-Lavalin inquiry
• B.C. NDP ramps up capital spending in latest update
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• Amnesty International ‘deeply concerned’ about Alberta’s fight back strategy against oil foes
• Opponents pounce on Liberal record after Trudeau’s no-show at leaders debate
• Word of the Week: Investigation